Watercraft docking structure

ABSTRACT

A structure includes a bracket and a vertical member. The vertical member includes a vertical member top end and a vertical member bottom end. The vertical member is affixed to the bracket. The structure further includes at least one bumper. The at least one bumper is affixed to the vertical member bottom end via a bumper connecting structure. The structure further includes an arm member. The arm member includes an arm member first end and an arm member second end. The arm member second end is affixed to the vertical member top end. In another aspect, a structure includes a support, and affixed to the support, a bracket. The structure further includes, affixed to the support via a bumper connecting structure, at least one bumper. The structure further includes, affixed to the support, an arm member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/302,873, filed on Mar. 3, 2016, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to accessory structures for docks, andin particular to accessory structures for facilitating the loading andmooring of small watercraft.

Small watercraft are widespread in recreational as well as professionalapplications. While small, such watercraft are usually moored in thesame manner as full sized speedboat, that is, against a dock, using boatbumpers, tires, or other shock absorber to prevent the dock fromdamaging the boat or small watercraft and vice versa. Users of smallwatercraft continue to be frustrated by the overall work required inmooring and loading. Simplifying the mooring and loading process wouldallow existing small watercraft users to get more value and utility outof their small watercraft.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, a structure includes a bracketa bracket and a vertical member. The vertical member includes a verticalmember top end and a vertical member bottom end. The vertical member isaffixed to the bracket. The structure further includes at least onebumper. The at least one bumper is affixed to the vertical member bottomend via a bumper connecting structure. The structure further includes anarm member. The arm member includes an arm member first end and an armmember second end. The arm member second end is affixed to the verticalmember top end.

According to another aspect of the invention, a structure includes asupport, and, affixed to the support, a support mounting means formounting the support to a dock, and, also affixed to the support, awatercraft contacting means for contacting the structure to awatercraft. The structure further includes an arm member, which includesan arm member first end and an arm member second end. The arm member isaffixed to the support at the arm member second end. The arm memberfirst end extends above the watercraft.

According to another aspect of the invention, a structure includes asupport, and affixed to the support, a bracket. The structure furtherincludes, affixed to the support via a bumper connecting structure, atleast one bumper. The structure further includes, affixed to thesupport, an arm member.

A parts kit for a structure according to embodiments of the inventionand methods of use of a structure according to embodiments of theinvention are also disclosed.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitutea part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a left-front perspective view of a structure according to atleast one embodiment of the invention in a configuration for docking apowered personal watercraft.

FIG. 2 is a left-front perspective view of a structure according to atleast one embodiment of the invention in a configuration for docking akayak upright.

FIG. 3 is a left-front perspective view of a structure according to atleast one embodiment of the invention in a configuration for docking akayak on its side.

FIG. 4 is a left-front perspective view of a structure according to atleast one embodiment of the invention in a configuration for docking apersonal boat bow-to-dock.

FIG. 5 is a left-front perspective view of a structure according to atleast one embodiment of the invention in a configuration for docking apowered personal watercraft with a water level adjustment extensioninstalled.

FIG. 6 is front-right perspective view of a structure according to atleast one embodiment of the invention, in isolation.

FIG. 7 is a front-right perspective view of a structure according to atleast one embodiment of the invention, in isolation with a water leveladjustment extension installed.

FIG. 8 is a an exploded view of a structure according to at least oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a structure according to at least oneembodiment of the invention, with a water level adjustment extensioninstalled.

FIG. 10 is an elevated right perspective view of a kit for a structureaccording to at least one embodiment of the invention, configured to fitinside an oblong container.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a structure according to at least oneembodiment of the invention, configured for a powered personalwatercraft.

FIG. 12 is a profile view of a structure according to at least oneembodiment of the invention, configured for a powered personalwatercraft.

FIG. 13 is an elevated right-rear perspective view of a structureaccording to at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is an elevated left-rear perspective view of a structureaccording to at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a front-left perspective view of a structure according to atleast one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a lowered front-right perspective view of a structureaccording to at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a lowered front-right perspective view of a structureaccording to at least one embodiment of the invention, in a collapsedconfiguration.

FIG. 18A is a detail view of a sealed structural component, inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, displaying thesectional line of FIG. 18B.

FIG. 18B is a sectional view of the sealed structural component of FIG.18A, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Applicant submits that the present invention provides a simpleperpendicular dock-mounted, adjustable, cantilevered system for parkingand boarding powered personal watercraft, canoes, kayaks, paddleboats,paddleboard, personal boats, and other small watercraft. As used herein,the term “powered personal watercraft” refers to a watercraft, usuallybut not necessarily propelled by jet rather than propeller, on which apilot and 1-2 additional rider(s) are seated astride of or on top of, asopposed to within, the hull, often in an inline configuration withadditional riders seated behind the passenger, as would riders andpassengers of a motorcycle. Powered personal watercraft may be of thekind commonly referred to by the terms “waverunner” or “wave runner”.The Applicant notes that U.S. Trademark Reg. No. 1508023 to YAMAHAHATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA CORPORATION covers the term “WAVE RUNNER” assource identifier for “WATER SCOOTER AND STRUCTURAL PARTS THEREFOR”. Theterm “powered personal watercraft” as used herein, may be understood toinclude, but not be limited to, the goods identified by the registeredtrademark “WAVE RUNNER”.

As used herein, the term “personal boat” refers to a watercraft, usuallybut not necessarily propelled by jet rather than propeller, in which apilot and 1-2 additional rider(s) are seated within, as opposed toastride or on top of, the hull, often seated abreast or in aconfiguration wherein the additional riders face the pilot. TheApplicant notes that U.S. Trademark Reg. No. 3611047 (now canceled) toGO-FLOAT, LLC covers the term “GO FLOAT” as source identifier for“PERSONAL WATERCRAFT, NAMELY, SMALL ELECTRIC BOAT”. As used herein, theterm “personal boat” as used herein, may be understood to include, butnot be limited to, the goods identified by the formerly registeredtrademark “GO FLOAT”.

The Inventor has observed that the present state of the art includesrelatively costly boat lifts and drive on dock mechanisms that canaccomplish parking and boarding of small watercraft, but that therecurrently exists no economical way to moor watercraft perpendicular to apier. Systems according to some, but not necessarily all embodiments ofthe invention have the potential to save money due to efficient design,save space by fitting more watercraft along a pier, and add passengersafety to the boarding/exiting process. Additionally, the Inventor hasobserved that the present state of the art includes various dockingracks for securing canoes, kayaks, and other slender watercraft parallelto a pier, but that the present state of the art does not include anyapparatus that provides stabilizing legs in combination with acantilevered handlebar.

In various embodiments, an assembly according to the present inventionmay connect to a pier with a dock mounting bracket, which may be made ofsteel (stainless or treated), aluminum, or other rust-resistantmaterial, for example a composite material. Through the bracket,according to the various embodiments, may be connected an adjustablevertical tubular spine, the bottom of which may anchor the supportbumpers, and the top to which a horizontal support rail may connect andcantilever out over the watercraft.

According to the various embodiments, this multi-purpose horizontalsupport rail may be (1) gripped by passengers for support while boardingand exiting the watercraft; (2) used by passengers to pull thewatercraft into docking; (3) positioned with and pushed off from whenexiting the dock; (4) positioned as the uppermost connection for thesupport bumpers, and (5) positioned as dock line holders to keep thesupport bumpers out of the water.

In the various embodiments, one or more dock lines may run through orparallel to the vertical spine, with which the watercraft may be pulledin and secured to the assembly. One or two buoyant dock bumpers may besecured below to the spine bottom and above to the horizontal rail, toprovide a cushioned receiver to cradle the bow of the watercraft nose-into the pier.

When connected to a floating pier, the structure according to thevarious embodiments may be secured so that the structure causes thedocked watercraft to float consistently with the pier as water levelsfluctuate. When the structure according to various embodiment isconnected to a fixed pier, the ballast of the bumpers allows the securedwatercraft to float up and down to maintain a secure and consistentdocking position, regardless of changes in water levels. Whether thestructure according to the various embodiments is affixed to a fixed orfloating pier, the watercraft may be understood always to be securedconveniently to the pier in a nose-in position.

According to the various embodiments, the entire assembly can be removedand stored seasonally, or left connected to the pier year round, whetherthe pier remains in water or is stored on land. The entire unit,according to the various embodiments, may be shipped and sold assembledor broken down into a compact carton or bundle for economicaltransportation and storage. An optional cradle system may be added toallow kayaks and canoes to be supported parallel, rather thanperpendicular, to the pier for easy boarding and exiting.

The inventor has further observed that structures and/or systemsaccording to various embodiments of the invention provide efficientdesign and production economy (FIG. 10 and discussion), low shippingcosts (FIG. 10 and discussion), and easy installation and removal (FIG.1 and discussion). Structures according to the various embodiments alsoprovide the ability to minimize the amount of pier required to safelymoor multiple watercrafts, because bow to pier or aft to pier dockinguses less linear space than side to pier, which is the only option whentying up conventionally. The inventor has further observed thatembodiments of the invention have the potential to enhance user safetyin boarding and exiting their watercraft (FIGS. 1-5 and discussion).Further enhancing ease and safety, when structures according to variousembodiments are connected to a floating pier, the invention may beconfigured so that the docked watercraft floats consistently with thepier as water levels fluctuate (FIGS. 5, 9, and discussion). Whenconnected to a fixed pier, structures according to various embodimentsmay be secured in circumstances when water levels remain consistent, orleft unsecured to allow the tethered watercraft to float up and down incircumstances when water levels vary.

The inventor has further observed that various embodiment have thepotential to be removed and stored seasonally, or left fully orpartially connected to the pier year round, whether the pier remains inwater or is stored on land. Structures according to the variousembodiments may be broken down to be transported in one or more smallbox (i.e., reasonable size for parcel shipments to individuals by mailor courier). Alternatively, combinations of kit boxes or small (i.e.,retail) orders may be shipped on pallets, further improving distributioneconomy. Kits according to the invention may be sold directly to theconsumer, online via the web, or through marine and sporting goodsretailers. Various embodiments may be installed professionally or, withrelative ease, by the consumer quickly and without special tools.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG. 8 provides anexploded view of the various components of a structure 100, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment ofFIG. 8, a bracket 802 is provided. The bracket 802 may be a flat platethat is rigid, resilient (as used herein, the term “resilient” means“not brittle”), and corrosion resistant. Example materials having theseproperties are described further below. The bracket 802 includes one ormore bracket fasteners 802A, which penetrate through one or more bracketholes 802B. The bracket fasteners 802A may comprise mounting bolts incombination with nuts. Optionally, a bracket backplate 804 may befastened behind the edge of a dock, pier, or other mounting surface,with the bracket fasteners 802A extending through the mounting surface.In alternative embodiments, the bracket fasteners 802A may be screws,nails, rivets, or welded joints. In other alternative embodiments, thebracket 802 may be monolithically incorporated into a molded plastic,cast metal, 3D-printed, or otherwise single-part fabricated component ofa pier, dock, or other mounting surface.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the bracket 802includes a bracket lip 802E, which, as shown, is a monolithicallyincorporated 90° angle member that is relatively smaller than theprimary flat portion of the bracket 802. The bracket lip 802E may extendover the top edge of a dock, pier, or other mounting surface, where itmechanically inhibits the bracket 802 from downward or angular slippagerelative to the dock, pier, or other mounting surface. The bracket lip802E may be produced, in the case of a metal bracket 802, by bending aportion of an initial flat plate by 90°, by welding a separate piece at90°, or by casting, extruding 3D-printing, or otherwise fabricating amonolithic element.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, affixed to thebracket 802 are one or more vertical member receiving structures 802C.The vertical member receiving structures 802C are complementarily shapedto a vertical member 806, described in further detail, below. In thedepicted embodiment, the vertical member receiving structures 802C areshort square tube segments, two in number, that accommodate a smallersquare tube vertical member 806. In alternative embodiments, circular orother cross-sectional shapes are contemplated. The vertical memberreceiving structures 802C are affixed to the bracket 802 on the faceopposite the pier, dock, or other mounting surface. The vertical memberreceiving structures 802C may be of the same or similar material to thebracket 802, and may be affixed by welds, bolts, rivets, otherfasteners, or may be monolithically incorporated into the bracket 802 bymolding, casting, 3D-printing, or other method of fabricating a singlecomponent.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, embedded withinthe vertical member receiving structures 802C are vertical memberreceiving structure fasteners 802D. The vertical member receivingstructure fasteners 802D, as shown, are embedded bolts, such as Allenbolts, that rotate within a housing within the sidewall of the verticalmember receiving structures 802C, to adjustably extend inward toward theinterior volume of the vertical member receiving structures 802C,thereby clamping down on any rigid member positioned within the interiorvolume of the vertical member receiving structures 802C. The verticalmember receiving structure fasteners 802D thereby form aslidable-lockable joint with the vertical member 806, which ispositioned within the vertical member receiving structures 802C.

In general, as used herein, the term “slidable-lockable joint” refers toany connection between structural members where there exists a firstconfiguration such that a first member passes through a portion of asecond member, allowing the second member to be moved translationallyand longitudinally relative to the first member, and where there alsoexists a second configuration where a state is changed such that thefirst and second member are fixed relative to one another. In the caseof the vertical member receiving structure fasteners 802D, the Allenbolts of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 may be loosened to achievethe first configuration, where the tips of the Allen bolts do notpenetrate substantially into the interior of the vertical memberreceiving structures 802C, and the vertical member 806 or other rigidmember can move freely through the vertical member receiving structures802C. The Allen bolts similarly may be tightened to achieve the secondconfiguration, where the tips of the Allen bolts do penetratesubstantially into the interior of the vertical member receivingstructures 802C such that translational movement of the vertical member806 or other similarly positioned member is frictionally blocked.

In the various depicted embodiments, slidable-lockable joints may beunderstood to be created by embedded Allen bolts, as shown. In turn, theembedded Allen bolts may be configured so as to not be readily removedthrough to the exterior of the member in which they are embedded. Thismay be achieved by placing a stop above the head of the Allen bolt, orby providing sufficient threads within the bolt hole for the Allen boltthat the Allen bolt will require many turns of loosening before beingremoved from the member in which it is embedded. Other embodiments ofslidable lockable joints are contemplated using alternative lockingmechanisms. For example, the bolts may vary in the shape of the head(hex bolt, flathead, Phillips, etc.) or in whether they are embedded orsimply turned through an embedded nut or a separate nut. In still otheralternatives, fastening bolts may be replaced with ratchet clamps,tension bands, or configurations of permanent magnets that can be turnedto interfere constructively or destructively to selectively apply aforce or not. More generally, the slidable-lockable joints describedherein may be achieved by any structures that provide a firstconfiguration where the first member slides through second member, and asecond configuration where the first member is fixed relative to thesecond member.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the verticalmember 806 is a vertically oriented member made of a rigid and resilientmaterial, for example square tube steel, as shown. The vertical member806 is shaped complentarily to the vertical member receiving structures802C so as to slide therein and form a slidable-lockable joint. Thevertical member 806 includes a vertical member top end 806A, a verticalmember bottom end 806D, and a vertical member central region 806E.Located at the vertical member top end 806A is an arm receivingstructure 806B, which in the depicted embodiment is a through-holereinforced with a lip on both sides. The cylindrical lip provides loadspreading for tubular members inserted through the through-hole,specifically an arm member 808, discussed in further detail below.Tubular members may be secured in the through hole by friction with thelip alone, or by a fastener. Either or both ends of the arm receivingstructure 806B may include embedded Allen bolts or other fasteners, suchas a twist-lock mechanism or snap-button mechanism. Thus, the arm member808 inserted into the arm receiving structure 806B may be understood asa slidable-lockable joint, as previously described. It will beunderstood, however, that, in the depicted embodiment, the arm member808 is tubular and nonlinear; the resulting rotatability of the armmember 808 relative to the vertical member 806 is a feature whereby thearm member 808 may be place in different configurations for differentapplications, as further described below. Also affixed to the verticalmember top end 806A is a pair of cleats 806C. The pair of cleats 806Care of the kind in common marine use, suitable for small watercraft andcorrespondingly suitable for tying small gauges of rope. The pair ofcleats 806C may be affixed to the vertical member top end 806A asoff-the-shelf components via fasteners such as screws, bolts, rivets, orwelds. In alternative embodiments, the pair of cleats 806C may bemonolithically incorporated into the vertical member 806 by molding,casting, 3D-printing, or other method of fabricating a single component.As shown, the arm receiving structure 806B and the pair of cleats 806Care oriented 90° apart on opposing pairs of faces of the square tube ofthe vertical member 806. The vertical member 806 is inserted into thevertical member receiving structures 802C such that the arm receivingstructure 806B is in line with the bracket 802, and the pair of cleats806C is offset 90° to the same.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the arm member 808is a curved tubular element that is rigid and resilient, such as steeltube, pipe, or conduit, any of which may be bent into any desired arc.The arm member 808 includes an arm member first end 808A and an armmember second end 808B. Affixed to the arm member 808 at the arm secondend is an arm loop 808C. The arm loop 808C is a rigid and resilient loopthat supports a rope being passed through it, but usually not tied offthereon. The arm loop 808C is contemplated to be sufficiently large topermit a rope or line of a particular maximum intended gauge to beeasily passed through. The arm loop 808C may be affixed to the armmember second end 808B by bolts, screws, welds, or it may bemonolithically incorporated into the arm member 808 by molding, casting,3D-printing, or other method of fabricating a single component.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, an arm elbowmember 810 is affixed to the arm member second end 808B. The arm elbowmember 810 includes an arm elbow member first end 810A and an arm elbowmember second end 810B, each including an embedded arm elbow fastener810C. The arm elbow fastener 810C may be an embedded Allen bolt or otherembedded or nonembedded bolt or screw. The arm elbow fastener 810C isgenerally effective to secure the arm elbow member 810 over acomplementary tubular member inserted into either end thereof. The armelbow member first end 810A is complementary to and placed over the armmember second end 808B and secured there via the arm elbow fastener810C. The arm elbow member second end 810B is complementary to andplaced over an arm handle member 812. In the depicted embodiment, thearm handle member 812 is a rigid and resilient piece of circular tubesteel, pipe, or conduit. As depicted, the arm handle member 812 isrelatively shorter than the arm member 808 and not curved. The armhandle member 812 includes an arm handle member first end 812A and anarm handle member second end 812B.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, a lower loopmember 830 includes a lower loop member tube opening 830A. The lowerloop member 830, as depicted, is a short piece of square tube steel withthe lower loop member tube opening 830A shaped complementarily toaccommodate the vertical member 806. A lower loop member fastener 830Bforms a slidable-lockable joint between the lower loop member 830 andthe vertical member 806. Affixed to an exterior face of the lower loopmember 830 is a lower loop 830C. The lower loop 830C is is a rigid andresilient loop that supports a rope being passed through it, but usuallynot tied off thereon. The lower loop 830C is contemplated to besufficiently large to permit a rope or line of a particular maximumintended gauge to be easily passed through. The lower loop 830C may beaffixed to the lower loop member 830 by bolts, screws, welds, or it maybe monolithically incorporated into the lower loop member 830 bymolding, casting, 3D-printing, or other method of fabricating a singlecomponent.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, a lower jointhorizontal member 832 is rigidly affixed at 90° to a lower jointvertical member 834. The lower joint horizontal member 832 includes alower joint horizontal member tube opening 832A with a lower jointhorizontal member fastener 832B (e.g., an embedded Allen bolt, asdescribed above), and the lower joint vertical member 834 includes alower joint vertical member tube opening 834A with a lower jointvertical member fastener 834B (e.g., an embedded Allen bolt, aspreviously described). The lower joint horizontal member 832 and thelower joint vertical member 834, as depicted, are short pieces of squaretube steel with the lower joint horizontal member tube opening 832Ashaped complementarily to accommodate a horizontal member 836, furtherdescribed below, and the lower joint vertical member tube opening 834Ashaped to accommodate the vertical member 806. The lower jointhorizontal member fastener 832B forms a slidable-lockable joint betweenthe lower joint horizontal member 832 and the horizontal member 836,while the lower joint vertical member fastener 834B forms aslidable-lockable joint between the lower joint vertical member 834 andthe vertical member 806.

The lower joint horizontal member 832 and the lower joint verticalmember 834, in the depicted embodiment, are affixed to one another bywelds, bolts, rivets, screws, or other fasteners, or are monolithicallyproduced together via molding, casting, 3D-printing, or otherwisefabricating a single component. In the depicted embodiment, the lowerjoint horizontal member 832 and the lower joint vertical member 834 areoriented 90° to one another with the lower joint vertical member 834positioned centrally on the lower joint horizontal member 832, and thelower joint horizontal member 832 is positioned at the bottom of thelower joint vertical member 834, although other configurations arecontemplated. In embodiments that include the lower joint horizontalmember 832 and lower joint vertical member 834, as shown, the horizontalmember 836 may be understood to be slidably-lockably affixed to thevertical member 806, via the slidable-lockable action of the lower jointvertical member 834,

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the horizontalmember 836 (or, horizontal spine) is an elongated piece of square tubedsteel shaped contemplentarily to the lower joint horizontal member tubeopening 832A. The horizontal member 836 includes a horizontal memberfirst end 836A, a horizontal member second end 836B, and a horizontalmember central region 836C.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, a first bumper armmember 850 and a second bumper arm member 860 are both elongated piecesof square tube steel, as shown. The first bumper arm member 850 includesa first bumper arm member first end 850A, a first bumper arm membersecond end 850B, and a first bumper arm member central region 850C, andthe second bumper arm member 860 includes a second bumper arm memberfirst end 860A, a second bumper arm member second end 860B, and secondbumper arm member central region 860C. The first bumper arm member 850is attached, at the first bumper arm member first end 850A to a firstbumper arm slide member 852, which includes a first bumper arm slidemember tube opening 852A and a first bumper arm slide member fastener852B (e.g., embedded Allen bolt or alternatives, as described above). Itis noted that the first bumper arm slide member fastener 852B isobstructed in the view of FIG. 8, but is visible and called out in FIG.7. Similarly, the second bumper arm member 860 is attached, at thesecond bumper arm member first end 860A to a second bumper arm slidemember 862, which includes a second bumper arm slide member tube opening862A and a second bumper arm slide member fastener 862B (e.g., embeddedAllen bolt or alternatives, as described above).

Referring still to the embodiment of FIG. 8, the first bumper arm slidemember 852, as shown, is a piece of square tube steel sized and shapedsuch that the first bumper arm slide member tube opening 852Aaccommodates the horizontal member 836 to form a slidable-lockable jointbetween the first bumper arm slide member 852 and the horizontal member836 using the first bumper arm slide member fastener 852B, and thus thefirst bumper arm member 850 may be understood as slidably-lockablyaffixed to the horizontal member 836. Similarly, the second bumper armslide member 862, as shown, is a pieced of square tube steel sized andshaped such that the second bumper arm slide member tube opening 862Aaccommodates the horizontal member 836 to form a slidable-lockable jointbetween the second bumper arm slide member 862 and the horizontal member836 using the second bumper arm slide member fastener 862B, and thus thesecond bumper arm member 860 may be understood as slidably-lockablyaffixed to the horizontal member 836. As shown, the first bumper armmember 850 and the first bumper arm slide member 852 are positioned atan angle relative to one another of about 115°, which angle may be fixedor adjustable. The second bumper arm member 860 and the second bumperarm slide member 862 are similarly situated. To achieve a fixed angle,the first bumper arm member first end 850A (or the second bumper armmember first end 860A) may be fixedly attached via bolts, welds, rivets,or other rigid fasteners to the first bumper arm slide member 852 (orthe second bumper arm slide member 862), or the two may bemonolithically incorporated via molding, casting, 3D-printing, or othermethod of single-part fabrication. Alternatively, the first bumper armmember first end 850A (or the second bumper arm member first end 860A)may be rotatably attached to the first bumper arm slide member 852 (orthe second bumper arm slide member 862), for example via a bolt that,when loosened, permits free rotation, but frictionally prevents rotationwhen tightened. This configuration may be understood as a“rotatable-lockable joint”. As used herein, the term “rotatable-lockablejoint” refers to any joint between a first structural member and asecond structural member where a first configuration exists that allowsthe first structural member to rotate relative to the second structuralmember, but where a second configuration also exists in which suchrotation is prevented. Alternative means of achieving rotatable-lockablejoints include clamps, cinches, tension bands, slide lock mechanisms,and tension button lock mechanisms. In various configurations, the firstbumper arm member 850 and the second bumper arm member 860 may beinverted on the horizontal member 836 to achieve a difference in heightrelative to the horizontal member 836, as needed, depending on the waterlevel and type of watercraft. Additionally, the the first bumper armmember 850 and the second bumper arm member 860 may be swapped toachieve an inward angle, which may support right-angle docking of aslender watercraft in the water, such as a canoe or a scull.

Referring still to the embodiment of FIG. 8, a first bumper member 855includes a first bumper member top end 855A and first bumper memberbottom end 855B. Similarly, a second bumper member 865 includes a secondbumper member top end 865A and a second bumper member bottom end 865B.The first bumper member 855 and the second bumper member 865 may beelongated pieces of circular tube steel, pipe, or conduit. A firstbumper shock absorbing layer 855C surrounds the first bumper member 855,and a similar second bumper shock absorbing layer 865C surrounds thesecond bumper member 865. The first bumper shock absorbing layer 855Cand the second bumper shock absorbing layer 865C may be made of variousplastics, rubbers, resins, etc., with the intended function of thematerial to prevent surface damage and scratching to watercraft mooredagainst the first bumper member 855 and/or the second bumper member 865.In at least one embodiment, the first bumper shock absorbing layer 855Cand the second bumper shock absorbing layer 865C are made of ethylenepropylene diene monomer (EPDM).

The first bumper member 855 is affixed at the first bumper member bottomend 855B to a first bumper slide member 856. Similarly, the secondbumper member 865 is affixed at the second bumper member bottom end 865Bto a second bumper slide member 866. The first bumper slide member 856and second bumper slide member 866, as depicted, are short lengths ofsquare tube steel, which respectively include a first bumper slidemember tube opening 856A and a second bumper slide member tube opening866A, and, also respectively, a first bumper slide member fastener 856Band a second bumper slide member fastener 866B (the second bumper slidemember fastener 866B is obstructed in FIG. 8, but is visible and calledout in FIG. 5). The first bumper slide member fastener 856B and thesecond bumper slide member fastener 866B are embedded Allen bolts oralternatives, as described in detail above. The first bumper slidemember tube opening 856A is sized and shaped to accommodate the firstbumper arm member 850 via the first bumper arm member second end 850B,so as to create a slidable-lockable joint between the first bumper armmember 850 and the first bumper slide member 856 via the first bumperslide member fastener 856B, and thus the first bumper 1355 may beunderstood to be slidably-lockably affixed to the first bumper armmember 850. Similarly, the second bumper slide member tube opening 866Ais sized and shaped to accommodate the second bumper arm member 860 viathe second bumper arm member second end 860B, so as to create aslidable-lockable joint between the second bumper arm member 860 and thesecond bumper slide member 866 via the second bumper slide memberfastener 866B, and thus the second bumper 1365 may be understood to beslidably-lockably affixed to the second bumper arm member 860. As aresult of the slidable-lockable action between (i) the horizontal member836 and the first bumper arm slide member 852 and second bumper armslide member 862; and (ii) the first bumper arm member 850 and the firstbumper slide member 856, on the one hand, and the second bumper armmember 860 and the second bumper slide member 866, on the other, boththe first bumper 1355 and the second bumper member 865 may be understoodto be adjustable both side-to-side and front-to-back.

Referring now to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 provides an exploded view of componentsfor a structure 100 similar to that of FIG. 8, but with a water leveladjustment extension installed. Embodiments that include a water leveladjustment extension may, but need not necessarily, benefit from variousadvantages, specifically an additional drop leg with top step providesadditional depth for higher piers or greater water level fluctuations.In embodiments including a water level adjustment extension, a primaryextension slide member 906 is affixed to and offset from a secondaryextension slide member 908. The offset, as shown, has the primaryextension slide member 906 and the secondary extension slide member 908about parallel, affixed on side faces, and positioned such that theprimary extension slide member 906 is, in the orientation shown,vertically higher than the secondary extension fasteners 908B. Theprimary extension slide member 906 may be affixed to the secondaryextension slide member 908 by welds, bolts, rivets, or other fasteners,or the two components may be monolithically integrated by casting,molding, 3D-printing, or other method of fabricating a single component.In the depicted embodiment, the primary extension slide member 906 is apiece of square tube steel sized and shaped complementarily to thevertical member 806 such that the vertical member bottom end 806D passesthrough a primary extension slide tube opening 906A, where it can beselectively fastened by one or more primary extension fasteners 906B(two are shown), which may be embedded Allen bolts or other fasteners,as described above, to form a slidable-lockable joint between thevertical member 806 and the primary extension slide member 906. In thedepicted embodiment, the secondary extension slide member 908 is a pieceof square tube steel sized and shaped complementarily to a secondaryvertical member 902, described in further detail below, such that thesecondary vertical member 902 passes through a secondary extension slidetube opening 908A, where it can be selectively fastened by one or moresecondary extension fasteners 908B (two are shown), which may beembedded Allen bolts or other fasteners, as described above, to form aslidable-lockable joint between the secondary vertical member 902 andthe secondary extension slide member 908. In various contemplatedembodiments, either the primary extension fasteners 906B or thesecondary extension fasteners 908B may be left in a slidableconfiguration to allow the secondary vertical member 902 to move freelylongitudinally relative to the vertical member 806. In suchconfigurations, the vertical member 806 may be understood to be aprimary vertical member slidably affixed to the secondary verticalmember 902.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, the secondaryvertical member 902, as depicted, is an elongated piece of square tubesteel sized and shaped to fit complementarily within any of thesecondary extension slide tube opening 908A of the secondary extensionslide member 908, the lower loop member tube opening 830A of the lowerloop member 830, and the lower joint vertical member tube opening 834Aof the lower joint vertical member 834. In the configuration of thedepicted embodiment, the lower loop member 830 and the lower jointvertical member 834 are not affixed to the vertical member 806, but areaffixed to the secondary vertical member 902 instead. The secondaryvertical member 902, as depicted includes a secondary vertical membertop end 902A, a secondary vertical member bottom end 902B, and asecondary vertical member central region 902C. Affixed to the secondaryvertical member top end 902A, in a T-configuration to the secondaryvertical member 902 is a secondary vertical member stop 904. Thesecondary vertical member stop 904, as depicted, is a piece of squaretube steel that is short relative to the secondary vertical member 902,does not obstruct the secondary vertical member 902 sliding against theprimary extension slide member 906 or vertical member 806, and operatesto prevent the secondary vertical member 902 from falling through thesecondary extension slide member 908. The secondary vertical member stop904 may be affixed to the secondary vertical member top end 902A bywelds, bolds, rivets, or other fasteners, or the two components may bemonolithically incorporated into a single piece by molding, casting3D-printing, or other single-part fabrication method. Affixed to thesecondary vertical member stop 904 on the face opposite the verticalmember 806 is a secondary vertical member cleat 904A. The secondaryvertical member cleat 904A may be affixed to the secondary verticalmember stop 904 by welds, bolds, rivets, or other fasteners, or the twocomponents may be monolithically incorporated into a single piece bymolding, casting, 3D-printing, or other single-part fabrication method.The secondary vertical member cleat 904A operates to provide a ropeattachment point that slides with the secondary vertical member 902relative to the vertical member 806, which is rigidly affixed to thepair of cleats 806C, which provide an attachment point that is fixedrelative to the dock, pier, or other mounting surface.

Referring now to FIGS. 18A and 18B, various components of theabove-described embodiments may be made floatable and/or water resistantby sealing the ends. FIG. 18A is a close up of the second bumper armmember 860, which may be taken as exemplary of other components that maybe sealed, specifically the first bumper arm member 850, the firstbumper member 855, the second bumper member 865, the horizontal member836, the vertical member 806, the secondary vertical member 902, thesecondary vertical member stop 904, the arm member 808, and the armhandle member 812. The components that may be sealed generally includeany component made of tubular material that does not receive a smallercomponent inside its annular opening. FIG. 18A shows the section line ofFIG. 18B, thus FIG. 18B shows a sectional view of the second bumper armmember 860. As depicted, the ends of the sealed member are filled withexpanding foam sealant 1802. In alternative embodiments, resins,rubbers, plastics, corks, or other sealing materials may be insertedinto the sealing member ends. Since filling the entire member withsealing material is both unnecessary and costly, the central region maybe left filled with air or, as depicted, a filler material 1804, suchcrumpled or shredded newsprint. Other filler materials can include foampacking material, wood chips, bubble packaging, etc. The filler material1804 need not fill the entire filled member, but instead, an air gap1806 may be left, to maximize buoyancy. The filler material 1804generally operates to provide backing to the foam sealant 1802, allowingit to set properly while using less sealant. The result of sealingcomponents as described is that the sealed components can float, whicheases installation of the structure 100, and also allows the lowerstructural elements, specifically the secondary vertical member 902,horizontal member 836, first bumper arm member 850, second bumper armmember 860, first bumper member 855, and second bumper member 865 toslide vertically upward when urged in that direction by the buoyantforce of rising water and to fall when the buoyant force is absent dueto falling water level.

Referring now to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of the inventionsimilar to that of FIG. 8 in an assembled configuration with exemplaryrope and/or tether lines installed. In the embodiment depicted in FIG.6, the structure 100 is affixed to a dock 101 via the bracket fasteners802A. The dock 101 may be made of wood, metal, composite, plastic, orother materials, and may be fixed or floating. Where the dock 101, pier,or other structure lacks a solid sidewall, as in a truss pier or pen webpier, the bracket backplate 804 may be applied to secure the bracket 802to whichever structure(s) may be present on the side of the dock 101. Inthe depicted embodiment, the structure 100 is assembled without thewater level adjustment extension components such that the lower loopmember 830 and the lower joint vertical member 834 are inslidable-lockable joints with the vertical member 806 and not with thesecondary vertical member 902, with the remaining components assembledsimilarly to discussed above for FIG. 8. It will be noted that FIG. 6depicts the arm member 808 configured with the arm loop 808C orienteddownward and the arm elbow member 810 and arm handle member 812configured to be oriented downward. More generally, the orientation ofthe arm handle member 812, arm elbow member 810, and arm member 808, aswell as the extent to which the arm member 808 is passed through thevertical member receiving structures 802C may be adjusted according touser preference for any given configuration or class of configurations.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, a top rope 602includes a top rope first end 602A, a top rope second end 602B, and atop rope central region 602C. In the depicted embodiment, the top ropesecond end 602B is secured to one of the pair of cleats 806C using acleat hitch or other appropriate knot. The top rope central region 602Cis passed through the arm loop 808C. The top rope first end 602Aterminates in a top rope clip 604, which is depicted clipped to the armloop 808C in a storage configuration. In the below-described dockingconfigurations, the top rope 602 may be understood as generally a ropethat uses the arm loop 808C to reach out and above a parked watercraft.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, a bottom rope 612includes a bottom rope first end 612A, a bottom rope second end 612B,and a bottom rope central region 612C. In the depicted embodiment, thebottom rope second end 612B is secured to one of the pair of cleats 806Cusing a cleat hitch or other appropriate knot. The bottom rope centralregion 612C is passed through the lower loop 830C. The bottom rope firstend 612A terminates in a bottom rope clip 614, which is depicted clippedback to the bottom rope 612 in a storage configuration (in the depictedconfiguration, the bottom rope clip 614 is expected to fall to the lowerloop 830C). In the below-described docking configurations, the bottomrope 612 may be understood as generally a rope that uses the lower loop830C to reach the centered front region of a parked watercraft, asdetermined in relation to the structure 100.

Referring now to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of the structure100 with a water level adjustment extension installed, similarly to theembodiment of FIG. 9. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the bracket802 is affixed to the dock 101, as described for FIG. 6. The verticalmember bottom end 806D is in a slidable-lockable joint with the primaryextension slide member 906 and not the lower loop member 830 or thelower joint vertical member 834. The secondary vertical member centralregion 902C is in a slidable-lockable joint with the secondary extensionslide member 908, and the secondary vertical member bottom end 902B isin slidable-lockable joints with the lower loop member 830 and the lowerjoint vertical member 834. The remaining rigid components are configuredsimilarly to FIG. 9 and the top rope 602 configured similarly to FIG. 6.In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the bottom rope second end 612B isnot hitched to one of the pair of cleats 806C, but is hitched to thesecondary vertical member cleat 904A, which allows the attachment pointto move vertically with the secondary vertical member 902.

Referring now to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary kit for variouscomponents of a structure 100 arranged in a kit box 1000. The depictedembodiment shows various components, as shown in FIG. 8, in an exemplaryboxed configuration. While not all of the above-described components areshown, various embodiments of the kit may include various componentsdescribed herein, and such a kit may be packaged in multiple boxes or innon-box packaging. Also, it will be understood that the depictedconfiguration is exemplary only, and that in other embodiments, thecomponents may be packed in other configurations. In addition to themanufactured components, extra installation supplies and parts may beprovided. While FIG. 10 shows several additional supplies and/or parts,the inclusion of such supplies and parts here is intended by way ofexample, rather than by way of limitation, and no particular additionalkit element is necessarily required for the practice of the invention.

Referring still to the kit of FIG. 10, the additional components includeone or more rolls of adhesive grip material 1002, one or more coils ofrope 1006, one or more U-bolts 1008, and one or more clip connectors1012. The adhesive grip material 1002 may be applied to the dock,watercraft, or structural components that contact the watercraft,according to user preference. In particular the adhesive grip material1002 may be applied in locations where users are expected to step. Therope 1006 may be cut and affixed to the clip connectors 1012 to form thetop rope 602 and bottom rope 612. The U-bolts 1008 may be affixed towatercraft and other elements that loops, cleats, or other ropeattachment points in a desired location. Other connectors, such asD-ring connectors, may be substituted for the U-bolts 1008. In additionto the kit of FIG. 10, a second kit may include the water leveladjustment extension components, making the water level adjustmentextension an optional add-on that can be shipped and warehousedseparately from the kit box 1000.

Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 depicts a docking configuration for apowered personal watercraft in the absence of a water level adjustmentextension. The structure 100, as depicted, is similar to theconfiguration of FIG. 6. The configuration of FIG. 1 may be understoodas bow to dock. In the depicted embodiment, a powered personalwatercraft 102 is parked perpendicular to the dock 101 using thestructure 100. The powered personal watercraft 102 includes a poweredpersonal watercraft handlebar 104, a powered personal watercraft bowloop 106, and a powered personal watercraft rim 108. The poweredpersonal watercraft handlebar 104 may be understood as the grossstructure of the steering column about which a rope may be looped,regardless of the detailed shape of the particular model or features ofthe powered personal watercraft 102. The powered personal watercraft bowloop 106 may be understood as any forward attachment point on thepowered personal watercraft 102, whether provided by the watercraftmanufacture or installed by the user on an aftermarket basis. Thepowered personal watercraft rim 108 may be understood as that portion ofthe powered personal watercraft 102 that contacts with other objects inthe environment, such as docks and piers, other watercraft, and thefirst bumper member 855 or second bumper member 865.

Referring still to the configuration of FIG. 1, in the depictedconfiguration, the top rope 602 is configured such that the top ropesecond end 602B is hitched to one of the pair of cleats 806C, the toprope central region 602C is passed through the arm loop 808C, and thetop rope first end 602A is looped around the powered personal watercrafthandlebar 104 with the top rope clip 604 clipped back to the top rope602 to create the loop, thereby securing the powered personal watercraft102 via the powered personal watercraft handlebar 104. The bottom rope612 is configured such that the bottom rope second end 612B is hitchedto one of the pair of cleats 806C, the bottom rope central region 612Cis passed through the lower loop 830C, and the bottom rope clip 614 isclipped to the powered personal watercraft bow loop 106.

Referring still to the configuration of FIG. 1, the configuration ofFIG. 1 is exemplary of various methods of installing a structure 100 andof parking and loading of the powered personal watercraft 102. Themethod of installing the configuration of FIG. 1 includes, given theabove-described components, of FIG. 8, for example in a kit according toFIG. 10, in no preferred order: (i) affixing the bracket 802 to the dock101, using a choice of bracket fasteners 802A appropriate to thematerial and style of the dock 101 and using the bracket backplate 804,if needed or desired; (ii) passing the horizontal member 836 through thelower joint horizontal member 832 such that the lower joint horizontalmember 832 is centered on the horizontal member central region 836C andtightening the lower joint horizontal member fastener 832B; (iii)passing the horizontal member first end 836A through the second bumperarm slide member 862 and the horizontal member second end 836B throughthe first bumper arm slide member 852, and passing the first bumper armmember 850 through the first bumper slide member 856 and the secondbumper arm member 860 through the second bumper arm slide member 862,while adjusting the left-right and front back position of the firstbumper member 855 and the second bumper member 865 to a position thatcradles the bow of the powered personal watercraft 102, as shown, andtightening the aforementioned components with their respectivefasteners; (iv) passing the vertical member bottom end 806D through thevertical member receiving structures 802C, the lower loop member 830,and the lower joint vertical member 834 and tightening the respectivefasteners such that the lower joint horizontal member 832 is at thewater level or a desired distance above or below water level; (v)passing the arm member 808 through the arm receiving structure 806B suchthat the arm member 808 curves upward with the arm loop 808C orienteddownward and that the arm member 808 is about fully extended outwardfrom the vertical member 806; (vi) affixing the arm handle member 812 ina downward orientation to the arm member second end 808B using the armelbow member 810; (vii) hitching the top rope second end 602B to one ofthe pair of cleats 806C and passing the top rope 602 through the armloop 808C; (viii) hitching the bottom rope second end 612B to one of thepair of cleats 806C, and passing the bottom rope 612 through the lowerloop 830C. Optional additional installation steps include installingadhesive grip material 1002 on any of the dock 101, the first bumpermember 855, the second bumper member 865, and the powered personalwatercraft rim 108. Optional steps further include installing a poweredpersonal watercraft bow loop 106 using one of the U-bolts 1008. A methodfor uninstallation may include detaching the various components fromtheir described positions, which is made simple by the use ofslidable-lockable joints. For such a method, the bracket 802 may be lefton the dock 101 or removed. Additionally, the entire structure 100 maybe left up year round or removed seasonally.

Referring still to the configuration of FIG. 1, a method of parking thepowered personal watercraft 102 includes: (i) taxiing the poweredpersonal watercraft 102 to the parking position, bow in towards thestructure 100 with the powered personal watercraft rim 108 in contactwith the first bumper member 855 and the second bumper member 865; (ii)clipping the top rope first end 602A to itself using the top rope clip604 to form a loop around the powered personal watercraft handlebar 104;clipping the bottom rope clip 614 to the powered personal watercraft bowloop 106; and taking up slack in the top rope 602 and bottom rope 612and securing any slack using the pair of cleats 806C. Unparking thepowered personal watercraft 102 may be achieved by detaching the bottomrope clip 614 from the powered personal watercraft bow loop 106;detaching the top rope clip 604 from the top rope 602 to release theloop around the powered personal watercraft handlebar 104; stowing thetop rope 602 and bottom rope 612 in a storage configuration; and pushingoff the powered personal watercraft 102 from the structure 100.

Referring still to the configuration of FIG. 1, a method of boarding thepowered personal watercraft 102 include, for a user standing adjacent tothe structure 100: (i) grasping the arm handle member 812 using the handnearer the structure 100; (ii) stepping onto the powered personalwatercraft 102 using the foot nearer the structure 100; (iii) liftingthe foot farther from the structure 100 while pivoting the foot nearerthe structure 100 and kicking over the seat of the powered personalwatercraft 102 to straddle the powered personal watercraft 102;releasing the arm handle member 812; and unparking and pushing off fromthe structure 100. Unboarding the powered personal watercraft 102 may beachieved by reversing the above-described boarding method. Thus, the armmember 808 may be understood to facilitate boarding and unboarding ofthe kayak 202.

Referring now to the configuration depicted in FIG. 5, FIG. 5 presents aconfiguration similar to FIG. 1, but where a water level adjustmentextension is present. The structure 100, as depicted, is similar to theconfiguration of FIG. 7. In the depicted configuration, the bottom rope612 is configured such that the bottom rope second end 612B is hitchedto the pair of cleats 806C, the bottom rope central region 612C ispassed through the lower loop 830C, and the bottom rope clip 614 isclipped to the powered personal watercraft bow loop 106. Additionally,the arm member 808 is configured with its arc pointing down and the armhandle member 812 also pointing down, in accordance with the water levelbeing often lower, relative to the dock 101, than in the configurationof FIG. 1.

Referring still to the configuration of FIG. 5, the method ofinstallation is similar to that of the configuration of FIG. 1, exceptthat in step (iv), the vertical member bottom end 806D is not passedthrough the lower loop member 830 and the lower joint vertical member834, but instead through the primary extension slide member 906, whichis tightened to the vertical member 806, and that the secondary verticalmember 902 is passed through the secondary extension slide member 908,which is left untightened, and the through the lower loop member 830 andthe lower joint vertical member 834, which are tightened. Additionally,at step (v), the arm member 808 is affixed to arc downward and, at step(vi), the arm handle member 812 is directed downward. Additionally, instep (viii), the bottom rope second end 612B is hitched not to one ofthe pair of cleats 806C, but to the secondary vertical member cleat904A. Methods for parking and boarding (and the reverse of each) in theconfiguration of FIG. 5 are similar to those of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the configuration of FIG. 4, FIG. 4 depicts aconfiguration of an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 6, for docking apersonal boat 402, or equivalently, a paddleboat, rowboat, or othersmall, but wide watercraft. The docking configuration of FIG. 4 may beunderstood as bow to dock. The personal boat 402 includes a personalboat headrest attachment point 404, a personal boat bow attachment point406, and a personal boat rim 408. The personal boat headrest attachmentpoint 404 and personal boat bow attachment point 406 may be riggingloops provided by the watercraft manufacturer, or may be installed bythe user on an aftermarket basis, for example using the U-bolts 1008 ofa kit according to the embodiment of FIG. 10. The personal boat rim 408is similar to the powered personal watercraft rim 108. In theconfiguration of FIG. 4, the structure 100 differs from that of FIG. 1in that the arm member 808 is configured with its arc pointing down andthe arm handle member 812 also pointing down. Additionally, the top ropeclip 604 is attached to the personal boat headrest attachment point 404,and the bottom rope clip 614 is attached to the personal boat bowattachment point 406.

Referring still to the configuration of FIG. 4, an installation methodfor the configuration of FIG. 4 differs from that of FIG. 1 in that, atstep (v), the arm member 808 is affixed to arc downward and, at step(vi), the arm handle member 812 is directed downward, and that at step(iii), the adjustment of the left-right and front back position of thefirst bumper member 855 and the second bumper member 865 is to aposition that cradles the bow of the personal boat 402. In theconfiguration of FIG. 4, the method for parking is similar to the methodfor parking as in FIG. 1, except that the personal boat 402 is backed into the structure 100 and that the top rope clip 604 is not clipped in aloop, but is clipped directly to the personal boat headrest attachmentpoint 404. In the configuration of FIG. 4, the method for boarding issimilar to the method for boarding is FIG. 1, except that the user neednot pivot to be seated, but may simply step forward while grasping thearm handle member 812. Thus the arm member 808 may be understood tofacilitate boarding and unboarding of the personal boat 402.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, FIGS. 2-3 depict various configurations ofthe structure 100 for docking a kayak 202, or, equivalently, anotherslender watercraft such as a canoe. In the configuration of FIGS. 2-3,the arm handle member 812 and arm elbow member 810 are not used, and thearm member 808 is passed through the arm receiving structure 806B toprotrude from the vertical member 806 on the dockward side of thestructure 100, thereby reducing the length that the arm member 808extends outward from the vertical member 806. The arm member 808 isdepicted without the arm loop 808C, which is not used in thisconfiguration and may be removed, not installed in the first place, orotherwise not used. Also in the configuration of FIGS. 2-3, the firstbumper arm slide member 852 and second bumper arm slide member 862 arepositioned about maximally outward on the horizontal member 836, and thefirst bumper slide member 856 ad the second bumper slide member 866 arepositioned about maximally inward on the first bumper arm member 850 andthe second bumper arm member 860, respectively.

Referring still to the configuration of FIGS. 2-3, in the depictedembodiment, the kayak 202 includes a kayak cockpit 204, a kayak firstattachment point 206, and a kayak second attachment point 208. The kayakcockpit 204 refers to the interior seating area of the kayak 202, as inthe case of the depicted sit-inside style kayak 202, or to the exteriorseating area or bench, as in the case of a sit-on-top kayak or canoe,respectively. The kayak first attachment point 206 and kayak secondattachment point 208 are hitchable structures on the exterior of thekayak 202, which may be provided by the manufacturer or may be installedby the user on an aftermarket basis, for example using the U-bolts 1008of a kit according to the embodiment of FIG. 10. In the case ofsit-on-top kayaks, existing handles may be used as attachment points. Inthe case of sit-in kayaks, a user may drill holes in the crevasse of thecoaming to accommodate one or more U-bolts 1008.

Referring still to the configuration of FIGS. 2-3, in the configurationof FIG. 2, the kayak 202 is stowed upright, resting on the first bumperarm member 850 and the second bumper arm member 860 and secured againstthe first bumper member 855 and second bumper member 865 by rope.Specifically, the bottom rope clip 614 is attached to the kayak secondattachment point 208 and the top rope clip 604 is attached to the kayakfirst attachment point 206. In the configuration of FIG. 2, there issufficient slack in the top rope 602 that the kayak 202 remains secured,but upright. To achieve the configuration of FIG. 3, slack may be takenup from the top rope 602 (and added to the bottom rope 612, as needed)to hoist the kayak 202 so that it hangs sideways against the firstbumper member 855 and the second bumper member 865. The configuration ofFIG. 3 may be understood as a storage configuration, wherein the kayak202 is out of the water with its opening directed inward toward the dock101, which prevents and/or minimizes and/or inhibits the accumulation ofwater and other environmental materials inside the kayak 202. As usedherein, “other environmental materials” means at least dust, dirt,leaves, plant matter, insects, other windblown debris, and the like.

Referring still to the configuration of FIGS. 2-3, a method ofinstalling the configuration of FIGS. 2-3 includes, given theabove-described components, of FIG. 8, for example in a kit according toFIG. 10, in no preferred order: (i) affixing the bracket 802 to the dock101, using a choice of bracket fasteners 802A appropriate to thematerial and style of the dock 101 and using the bracket backplate 804,if needed or desired; (ii) passing the horizontal member 836 through thelower joint horizontal member 832 such that the lower joint horizontalmember 832 is centered on the horizontal member central region 836C andtightening the lower joint horizontal member fastener 832B; (iii)passing the horizontal member first end 836A through the second bumperarm slide member 862 and the horizontal member second end 836B throughthe first bumper arm slide member 852, and positioning the same near theoutermost ends of the horizontal member 836, and tightening theaforementioned components with their respective fasteners; (iv) passingthe first bumper arm member 850 through the first bumper slide member856 and the second bumper arm member 860 through the second bumper armslide member 862, and adjusting the same to near the innermost positionon the first bumper arm member 850 and the second bumper member 865,respectively and tightening the aforementioned components with theirrespective fasteners; (v) passing the vertical member bottom end 806Dthrough the vertical member receiving structures 802C, the lower loopmember 830, and the lower joint vertical member 834 and tightening therespective fasteners such that the lower joint horizontal member 832 isat the water level or a desired distance above or below water level;(vi) passing the arm member 808 through the arm receiving structure 806Bsuch that the arm member 808 curves downward and that the arm member 808is extended partly outward from and partly through the vertical member806; (vii) hitching the top rope second end 602B to one of the pair ofcleats 806C; (viii) hitching the bottom rope second end 612B to one ofthe pair of cleats 806C, and passing the bottom rope 612 through thelower loop 830C. Optional additional installation steps includeinstalling adhesive grip material 1002 on any of the dock 101, the firstbumper member 855, the second bumper member 865, and the kayak 202.Optional steps further include installing a kayak first attachment point206 and/or a kayak second attachment point 208 using the U-bolts 1008from a kit of an embodiment according to FIG. 10.

Referring still to the configurations of FIGS. 2-3, a method of boardingand launching the kayak includes, for a kayak 202 starting in theconfiguration of FIG. 3, by a user standing on the dock 101, in nopreferred order: (i) slackening the top rope 602, for example byreleasing extra rope that may be secured to one of the pair of cleats806C, such that the kayak 202 is released down into the configuration ofFIG. 2, resting upright on the first bumper arm member 850 second bumperarm member 860 (embodiments of the method where the kayak 202 begins inthe configuration of FIG. 2 may skip this step); (ii) grasping the armmember 808 and stepping into the kayak cockpit 204; (iii) sitting in thekayak cockpit 204, using the arm member 808 as a stable gripping point;(iv) detaching the bottom rope clip 614 from the kayak second attachmentpoint 208 and the top rope clip 604 from the kayak second attachmentpoint 208; (v) stowing the bottom rope 612 and the top rope 602 in astorage configuration, for example that of FIG. 6; and (vi) pushing offfrom the structure 100 into open water, for example by pulling down withone hand on the arm member 808 to reduce the friction force between thekayak 202 and the first bumper arm member 850 and the second bumper armmember 860, while pushing with the other hand on any of the first bumpermember 855, the second bumper member 865, or the vertical member 806, orother component within reach of the user. To reverse the loadingprocess, the user may paddle up to the structure 100, pull the kayak 202up onto the first bumper arm member 850 and the second bumper arm member860 by grabbing the arm member 808 or other component within reach,attaching the bottom rope 612 and the top rope 602, and climbing out ofthe kayak 202 using the arm member 808. Once unboarded, the user mayoptionally hoist the kayak 202 into the configuration of FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-17, FIGS. 11-17 depict an alternativeembodiment for a structure 1100. In the embodiment of FIGS. 11-17, abracket 1302 of rigid and resilient material includes a plurality ofbracket mounting holes 1302B, one or more vertical member receivingstructures 1302C, one or more vertical member receiving structurefasteners 1302D, and a bracket lip 1302E. The bracket 1302 may beaffixed to the dock 101, with the bracket lip 1302E extending over thetop edge of the dock 101, by bolts, screws, or other fasteners via thebracket mounting holes 1302B. Also in the embodiment of FIGS. 11-17, avertical member 1306 of rigid and resilient material, such as squaretube steel, is shaped complementarily to fit within the vertical memberreceiving structures 1302C. The vertical member 1306 includes a verticalmember top end 1306A and a vertical member bottom end 1306D. Through thevertical member top end 1306A is an arm receiving structure 1306B. Inthe depicted embodiment, the arm receiving structure 1306B is athrough-hole into which the arm member 1308 is inserted and securedthere by nuts or other fasteners on both ends. The arm member 1308 is atube, pipe, or conduit of rigid and resilient material; it includes anarm member first end 1308A and an arm member second end 1308B. The armmember second end 1308B may be threaded to accommodate the nuts of thearm receiving structure 806B.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 11-17, the armmember 1308 includes an arm handle member 1312 affixed to the arm memberfirst end 1308A. The arm handle member 1312, as shown, is a pair ofopposed rigid loops or U-shaped handles attached to the arm member firstend 1308A by welds, bolds, rivets, or other fasteners, or the arm member1308 and arm handle member 1312 may be monolithically incorporated intothe same component by molding, casting, 3D-printing, or other method ofsingle component fabrication.

Referring still to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 11-17, affixed tothe vertical member bottom end 1306D are one or more lower ropes 1378.The lower ropes 1378 may be a single rope passed through a hole in thevertical member bottom end 1306D or separate ropes tied or clipped toattachment points thereon. A first bumper 1355 includes a first bumpertop end 1355A and a first bumper bottom end 1355B, and a second bumper1365 includes a second bumper top end 1365A and a second bumper bottomend 1365B. The lower ropes 1378 connect the vertical member bottom end1306D to the first bumper bottom end 1355B and the second bumper bottomend 1365B. Atop rope 1370 attached to the first bumper top end 1355A andthe second bumper top end 1365A is looped over the arm member 1308through the arm handle member 1312, where it is retained by a ropesleeve 1372. Additionally, a central spacer bar 1374 is attacheddirectly between the first bumper 1355 and the second bumper 1365. Thecentral spacer bar 1374 may be affixed to attachment points on or withinthe first bumper 1355 and the second bumper 1365. The first bumper 1355and the second bumper 1365 may be stock or modified off-the-shelf marinefenders or other padding/flotation devices, or they may be purpose-builtas cylinders of flotation material and/or shock absorbing material.

Referring still to the embodiment of FIGS. 11-17, FIGS. 11-12 depictdocking the powered personal watercraft 102 by contacting the bow of thepowered personal watercraft 102 against the first bumper 1355 and thesecond bumper 1365. The result is that the bow of the powered personalwatercraft 102 is under compression between the first bumper 1355 andthe second bumper 1365. The powered personal watercraft 102 may besecured in the depicted position by tying to cleats on the dock 101.FIGS. 12-16 depict various views of the structure 1100 with the firstbumper 1355 and the second bumper 1365 so urged apart by the poweredpersonal watercraft 102. FIG. 17 depicts the first bumper 1355 and thesecond bumper 1365 in the absence of a separating force.

Referring now to at least some of the various embodiments, generally, a“bumper connecting structure” may be understood as any structure forconnecting at least one bumper to a vertical member. For example, in theembodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the bumper connecting structure includesat least, for connecting the first bumper member 855 and the secondbumper member 865 to the vertical member 806, the combination of thefirst bumper slide member 856, second bumper slide member 866, firstbumper arm member 850, second bumper arm member 860, first bumper armslide member 852, second bumper arm slide member 862, horizontal member836, lower joint horizontal member 832, and lower joint vertical member834. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the bumper connecting structureincludes at least the previously stated elements, plus the secondaryvertical member 902, secondary extension slide member 908, and primaryextension slide member 906. In addition to the embodiment of FIG. 9, theembodiment of FIG. 8 may be modified to slide up and down with the waterlevel by allowing the vertical member 806 to slide up and down in thevertical member receiving structures 802C; for such embodiments, one ormore stops or protrusions may be added to the vertical member 806 aboveor below the vertical member receiving structures 802C to keep itretained therein. Separately, in the context of the embodiment of FIGS.11-17, the bumper connecting structure includes at least, for the firstbumper 1355 and the second bumper 1365 to the vertical member 1306, thelower ropes 1378.

Similarly, an arm member, whether the arm member 808, arm member 1308,or another structure in accordance with the invention, may be understoodas any member that extends in a cantilevered manner out from a mainsupport over where a docked watercraft might be placed (at least, forembodiments installed on a dock with water present, neither of which arerequired for the practice of the invention).

In the various embodiments, the vertical member 806, the secondaryvertical member 902, or more generally a vertical spine or structuralmember, may be understood to be a support. Thus, the bracket 802, thebracket 1302, or any other style of bracket, clamp, set of one or morebolts, set of one or more screws, set of one or more tension bands, andthe like, may be understood as a support mounting means for mounting thesupport to the dock 101. A support, as described, would likewise affixto the arm member 808, arm member 1308, or any other rigid member thatcantilevers to extend above a watercraft. In embodiments such as thatdepicted in FIG. 9, where a water level adjustment extension is present,the support may be understood to include a primary support slidablyconnected to a secondary support, as with the vertical member 806slidably connected to the secondary vertical member 902 via the primaryextension slide member 906 and the secondary extension slide member 908.In addition, for the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9, the first bumper member855 and the second bumper member 865 may be understood as vertical rigidbumpers surrounded by a shock absorbing layer (first bumper shockabsorbing layer 855C and second bumper shock absorbing layer 865C,respectively). More generally, any vertical rigid article with acompressible outer layer may be applied.

The watercraft, which may be any of the types of watercraft describedherein, or, more generally, any floating article, may be contactedagainst the support via watercraft contacting means for contacting thestructure of the particular embodiment to the watercraft. Either of,both of, or additional of the first bumper member 855 and the secondbumper member 865, or the first bumper 1355 and the second bumper 1365,or any other contact article that allows the watercraft to contact thestructure without damaging either may be understood as a contactingmeans, as described. With reference to the configuration of FIG. 3, thewatercraft contacting means, regardless of how implemented, may beconfigured to retain the kayak 202 on its side, as with the first bumpermember 855 and the second bumper member 865, which urge the kayak 202not to swing or fall into an upright or upside down orientation while onits ropes.

Further, the top rope 602 and bottom rope 612, which clip to variouspoints on a watercraft, may be understood as watercraft retaining meansfor retaining the watercraft to the dock 101. Alternatively, as in theembodiment of FIGS. 11-17, tying the watercraft to the dock 101 whilepositioned in contact with the structure may be understood as awatercraft retaining means as described. In the configuration of FIG. 2,the first bumper arm member 850 and the second bumper arm member 860,together, support the kayak 202 out of the water and thus may beunderstood as watercraft retaining means. More generally, anyconfiguration of rigid structures, rope lines, compressible structures,permanent or electro magnets, adhesives, fluid thrusters, air thrusters,and the like that urges a watercraft to remain in contact with thestructure may be understood as a watercraft retaining means.

Referring now to the materials used in various components of the variousabove-described embodiments, components described as rigid and resilientmay be made of steel, aluminum, or other metal or metal alloy. Thesematerials tend to be resistant to cracking in response to shiftinginternal loads, and also, unlike many plastics, do not photodegrade.Various high density and/or high impact plastic materials or compositematerials (e.g., carbon fiber reinforced polymer, fiberglass, etc.) mayalso be used in the manufacture of various rigid and resilientcomponents in the embodiments described above.

Referring still to the materials used in various components of thevarious above-described embodiments of the invention, the inventorcontemplates that metal components frequently may be wet or submerged,potentially with seawater as well as fresh water. Accordingly, metalcomponents are understood to be corrosion treated, for example by usingstainless steel, or by applying electrolytic platings or chemicalcorrosion resistance treatments to non-stainless steel or other metalalloys. In other embodiments, metal components in contact with water maybe placed in electrical communication with a sacrificial anode or placedunder an impressed bias current resist corrosion.

Referring still to the materials used in various components of thevarious above-described embodiments of the invention, the various ropeand line elements are contemplated as nylon or polyester fiber ropes ofthe kind customarily used in marine applications. Other rope materials,such as polypropylene, Kevlar, or other synthetic fibers, as well ascotton, hemp, and other natural fibers.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable,but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materialscould be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understandand appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, andequivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Theinvention should, therefore, not be limited by the above describedembodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methodswithin the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A watercraft docking structure, comprising: a bracket; avertical member, said vertical member comprising a vertical member topend and a vertical member bottom end; said vertical member being affixedto said bracket; at least one bumper, said at least one bumper beingaffixed to said vertical member bottom end via a bumper connectingstructure; and an arm member, said arm member comprising an arm memberfirst end and an arm member second end; said arm member second end beingaffixed to said vertical member top end; and, wherein: said verticalmember comprises a primary vertical member slidably connected to asecondary vertical member; said primary vertical member is affixeddirectly to said bracket and fixedly within a primary extension slidemember; said primary extension slide member being affixed rigidly to andoffset from a secondary extension slide member; and said secondaryvertical member comprising a T-configuration structure that is passedthrough said secondary extension slide member and allowed to slidevertically therein.
 2. The watercraft docking structure of claim 1,wherein said bumper connecting structure comprises: a horizontal membercomprising a horizontal member first end and a horizontal member secondend; said horizontal member being slidably-lockably affixed to saidvertical member lower end; a first bumper arm member slidably-lockablyaffixed to said horizontal member first end; and a second bumper armmember slidably-lockably affixed to said horizontal member second end;and, wherein: at least one of said at least one bumper comprises a rigidbumper member surrounded by a shock absorbing layer; said at least onebumper comprises at least a first bumper and a second bumper; said firstbumper being slidably-lockably affixed to said first bumper arm; andsaid second bumper being slidably-lockably affixed to said second bumperarm.
 3. A watercraft docking structure, comprising: a bracket; avertical member, said vertical member comprising a vertical member topend and a vertical member bottom end; said vertical member being affixedto said bracket; at least one bumper, said at least one bumper beingaffixed to said vertical member bottom end via a bumper connectingstructure; and an arm member, said arm member comprising an arm memberfirst end and an arm member second end; said arm member second end beingaffixed to said vertical member top end; and, wherein: said at least onebumper comprises a first bumper and a second bumper; said first bumpercomprises a first cylinder of shock absorbing material, a first cylindertop end, and a first cylinder bottom end; said second bumper comprises asecond cylinder of shock absorbing material, a second cylinder top end,and a second cylinder bottom end; said bumper connecting structurecomprises at least one lower bumper rope linking said first cylinderbottom end to said vertical member bottom end and said second cylinderbottom end to said vertical member bottom end; an upper bumper ropelinks said first cylinder top end to said second cylinder top end viasaid arm member first end; and a central bumper rope links said firstbumper to said second bumper.
 4. The watercraft docking structure ofclaim 1, further comprising a handle member, said handle member beingaffixed to said arm member first end.
 5. The watercraft dockingstructure of claim 4, wherein said handle member comprises a pair ofopposed rigid loops.
 6. The watercraft docking structure of claim 4,wherein said handle member comprises a single elongated memberrotatably-lockably affixed at ninety degrees to said arm member secondend.
 7. The watercraft docking structure of claim 4, further comprisingan arm loop, wherein said arm loop and said handle are distinctstructures.
 8. The watercraft docking structure of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one cleat affixed to said vertical member top end.9. A watercraft docking structure, comprising: a support; affixed tosaid support, a support mounting means for mounting said support to adock; affixed to said support, a watercraft contacting means forcontacting said structure to a moored watercraft; an arm membercomprising an arm member first end and an arm member second end; whereinsaid arm member is affixed to said support at said arm member secondend; and wherein said arm member first end extends above the location ofsaid moored watercraft; and, wherein: said support comprises a primarysupport slidably connected to a secondary support; said primary supportis affixed directly to said support mounting means for mounting saidsupport to said dock and affixed fixedly within a primary extensionslide member; said primary extension slide member being affixed rigidlyto and offset from a secondary extension slide member; and saidsecondary support comprising a T-configuration structure that is passedthrough said secondary extension slide member and allowed to slidevertically therein.
 10. The watercraft docking structure of claim 9,further comprising a watercraft retaining means for retaining saidwatercraft to said dock, wherein said watercraft retaining meanscomprises at least one rope tied to at least one cleat affixed to saidsupport.
 11. The watercraft docking structure of claim 10, wherein: saidwatercraft is a powered personal watercraft; and said watercraftcontacting means and said watercraft retaining means are configured toretain said powered personal watercraft to said dock, wherein saidpowered personal watercraft is oriented bow to dock and secured by saidat least one rope affixed to at least one of a bow loop and a handlebarof said powered personal watercraft; whereby said arm member facilitatesboarding and unboarding of said powered personal watercraft.
 12. Thewatercraft docking structure of claim 10, wherein: said watercraft is akayak; and said watercraft contacting means and said watercraftretaining means are configured to retain said kayak upright and parallelto said dock by said at least one rope being affixed to an attachmentpoint of said kayak; whereby said arm member facilitates boarding andunboarding of said kayak.
 13. The watercraft docking structure of claim10, wherein: said watercraft is a kayak; and said watercraft contactingmeans and said watercraft retaining means are configured to retain saidkayak on its side by said at least one rope being affixed to anattachment point of said kayak; whereby accumulation of at least one ofwater and other environmental materials inside of said kayak isinhibited.
 14. The watercraft docking structure of claim 10, wherein:said watercraft is a personal boat; and said watercraft contacting meansand said watercraft retaining means are configured to retain saidpersonal boat to said dock, wherein said personal boat is oriented bowto dock and secured by said at least one rope affixed to at least one ofa bow attachment point and a headrest attachment point of said personalboat; whereby said arm member facilitates boarding and unboarding ofsaid personal boat.
 15. A watercraft docking structure, comprising: asupport; affixed to said support, a bracket; affixed to said support viaa bumper connecting structure, at least one bumper; affixed to saidsupport, an arm member; at least one cleat affixed to said support; and,wherein: said support comprises a primary support slidably connected toa secondary support; said primary support is affixed directly to saidsupport mounting means for mounting said support to said dock andaffixed fixedly within a primary extension slide member; said primaryextension slide member being affixed rigidly to and offset from asecondary extension slide member; and said secondary support comprisinga T-configuration structure that is passed through said secondaryextension slide member and allowed to slide vertically therein.
 16. Thewatercraft docking structure of claim 15, further comprising a handle,said handle being affixed to said arm member.
 17. The watercraft dockingstructure of claim 15, wherein said at least one bumper comprises atleast one vertical rigid bumper member surrounded by a shock absorbinglayer.